Getting your vehicle's wheels aligned should be part of your regular maintenance routine. Depending on who you ask, you should get your wheels aligned every other oil change, once a year, or when you start to notice signs that your alignment is off.

Uneven Tire Wear

When your vehicle is not properly aligned, the same amount of pressure and force is not placed on each tire. This can result in uneven tire wear. If you look closely at your tires, you will notice that the wear patterns are different on each tire set. This is a visible sign that your tires are not properly aligned and, therefore, are wearing down quickly. If your alignment is not fixed promptly, you will have to replace your tires. 

Squeaking Tires

As your tires wear out at a different rate due to uneven alignment, you may start to notice that your vehicle is making noise when you drive. Sometimes, the damage to your vehicle and tires caused by poor alignment can result in a squeaking sound when you are turning or accelerating.

Poor alignment is not the only thing that causes your vehicle to squeak; so can worn-out brakes, so if you hear an unexplained squeaking sound, be sure to get it checked out. 

Vibration in Your Steering Wheel

When you drive and you are gripping the steering wheel, your steering wheel should feel stable. 

If you notice a vibration in your steering wheel, that vibration may be caused by your vehicle being misaligned. It may also be caused by your tires not being balanced. Extreme vibrations may signify that a larger component, such as the control arm, is wearing down.

Vibration in your steering wheel is not normal and should be checked out by a mechanic. 

Uneven Steering

When you let go of your steering wheel, it should stay straight. If you let go of your steering wheel when driving on a flat and straight road and your steering wheel pulls in one direction or another, you need a wheel alignment. This is simple and easy to test out when you are driving. When your vehicle is pulling one direction or another, it can be more difficult to control. 

It is important to keep your wheels properly aligned. Proper alignment will allow you to have full control over your vehicle when you drive. With the right alignment, your vehicle will be easier to control. Remember, poor alignment can wear down your tires and suspension, so be sure to take care of your vehicle's alignment.

Contact a company like D Wells Automotive Service to learn more.